At hearing this news, Aladdin thought himself the most happy of all
men, and thanked his mother for the pains she had taken in the affair,
the good success of which was of so great importance to his peace that
he counted every day, week, and even hour as it passed. When two of
the three months were passed, his mother one evening, having no oil in
the house, went out to buy some, and found a general rejoicing--the
houses dressed with foliage, silks, and carpeting, and every one
striving to show his joy according to his ability. The streets were
crowded with officers in habits of ceremony, mounted on horses richly
caparisoned, each attended by a great many footmen. Aladdin's mother
asked the oil merchant what was the meaning of all this preparation of
public festivity.
"Whence came you, good woman," said he, "that you don't know that the
grand vizier's son is to marry the Princess Buddir al Buddoor, the
sultan's daughter, to-night? She will presently return from the bath;
and these officers whom you see are to assist at the cavalcade to the
palace, where the ceremony is to be solemnized."
Aladdin's mother, on hearing this news, ran home very quickly.
"Child," cried she, "you are undone! The sultan's fine promises will
come to naught. This night the grand vizier's son is to marry the
Princess Buddir al Buddoor."
At this account Aladdin was thunderstruck. He bethought himself of the
lamp, and of the genie who had promised to obey him; and without
indulging in idle words against the sultan, the vizier, or his son, he
determined, if possible, to prevent the marriage.
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